Bible Word Study
קְצַץ
qᵉtsats · null
קְצַץ
Definition
The Aramaic noun קְצַץ (qᵉtsats) means 'a cutting off' or 'a decree of cutting down.' It refers specifically to the divine command to chop down a great tree in Daniel 4:14, which symbolizes the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar. This 'cutting off' is not merely a physical act of forestry but represents a judicial sentence from heaven that severs the king's power and pride. The term encapsulates the finality and authority of God's decree against human arrogance.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Bible, in Daniel 4:14 (Aramaic portion). It appears in the context of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, where a heavenly messenger cries out a command: 'Cut down the tree.' The usage is entirely judicial and prophetic, declaring a sovereign act of divine judgment against a ruler. The context is a royal dream interpretation, making its single occurrence highly significant and thematic.
Etymology
קְצַץ is an Aramaic noun directly corresponding to the Hebrew root קָצַץ (qātsats, H7112), which means 'to cut off, cut down, or chop.' The Aramaic form functions as a verbal noun (infinitive or gerund) meaning 'a cutting off.' It shares this root with Hebrew words for cutting, dividing, or making a decisive separation, emphasizing a complete and often punitive action.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it represents God's sovereign decree to humble human power. In Daniel 4, the 'cutting off' of the tree symbolizes God's judgment on Nebuchadnezzar's pride, leading to his period of insanity and subsequent restoration. It teaches that God actively intervenes to cut down human arrogance and that all earthly dominion is subject to His ultimate authority. Understanding this Aramaic term enriches the reading of Daniel by highlighting the precision and inevitability of divine judgment. In the ancient Near East, a great tree was a common symbol for a mighty king or empire (seen also in Ezekiel 17 and 31). The command to 'cut it down' would be understood as a catastrophic political downfall. The cultural context of Daniel, set in the Babylonian court, uses imagery familiar to the king to convey a prophetic message about the source of true sovereignty. גָּזַר (gāzar, H1504) — to cut, decree; often used for divine decrees or decisions. כָּרַת (kārath, H3772) — to cut off, make a covenant; broader term for cutting, including covenant-making.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]